Art of forming inflatable-ball covers



Nov. 13, 1928. 1 ,691,672

J. T. RIDDELL ART OF FORMING INFLATABLE BALL COVERS Original Filed ril 10, 1926 2 SheeLs-Sheec 1 18 17 16' Q jjj | "I un g Piflllllllllllg Nov. 13, 1928. I 1,691,672

J. T. RIDDELL ART OF FORMING INFLATABLE BALD COVERS Original Filed April 10, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 olgoql/jaoo Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

'r OFFICE. P

JOHN T.'IRIDDELL, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

ART OF FORMING INFLATABLE-BALL COVERS.

Original application filed April 10, 1926, Serial No. 101,217. Divided and this application filed December 29,

1926. Serial no. 157,665.

My invention relates to improvements in methods of making inflatable ball covers, and has for its object the production of balls of uniform shape. 7

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel steps and combinations thereof as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, and

in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sect-ion of apparatus especially well. adapted for the carryin out of the invention;

ig. 2 a section taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1;'

Fig. 3 a section taken substantially on line 8-3 of Fig. 1, the form being illustrated as"-v collapsed; and

Fig. 4 a side elevation of a ball pleted and ready for reversing.

The preferred'form of apparatus for carryin out the invention consists of the collapsible form of an exterior or peripheral shape conforming to the-desired interior of the completed ball. The form illustrated consists of a central openwork frame 5 having peripheral portions 6' constituting ortions of the periphery of the form and aving such desired shape. Retractable end members 7 are slidably mounted in the body or frame thus provided, said end members carrying guide ribs 8 operating inguide grooves 9 in the frame whereby said end members will be guided in their movements. Threaded shafts 10 are mounted as shown in the central frame work 5 of the form and engage suitable thread sockets in the end members 7 whereby, by a rotation of said shafts in opposite directions, the end members 7 will be simultaneously retracted. or protruded.

The shafts l0 carry bevel gears 11 meshing with bevel gear 12 on a transverse shaft 13. The transverse shaft 13 is also suitably mounted in the central framework of the form and is provided with oppositely threaded portions 14; and 15. Opposite side members 16 are provided in said form as shown and constitute a large portion of the periphcry of the sides of the form. These side members 16' are also provided with guide ribs 17 engaging guide grooves 18 in the frame of' the form for guiding the movements of said side members. Each of the side members 16 the production of a football cover. In prac- I ticing the invention by the use of the apparatus shown, the four similar leather parts 21 are utilized, and, when properly assembled, they will constitute the cover of an ordinary oval-shaped football. These cover parts are suitably dampened and are then stretched and sewed together over said form, French seams 22 being preferably employed for such purpose as indicated. On the side of the form where the shaft end 19 protrudes, the seam is not completed, along the central area two end portions 23 of seaming being formedleaving the usual gap or opening 24 for the insertion of the usual rubber inflating ball. Lacing openings 25 are provided on opposite sides of the opening 24 for use after completion of the ball cover for the usual football lacing. After the sewing has been completed, while the cover .is still on the form, the seams may be flattened by pounding or rolling them against the form. Whether the pounding operation is carried out or not, after the cover has received its set on the form, the seam portions 23 are ripped out to permit of removal of the cover from the form. The form is collapsed as much as possible by rotating shaft 13 and the cover is removed by being stripped from the form. Then the seam portions 23 are remade, preferably using the same stitch holes which were left by .ripping out the original seam portions 23. In this way, it is insured that the cover will be reformed in exact conformity with the shape assumed originally overthe forin. If the same stitch holes are not employed for the resewing, care should be taken that the same is resewed substantially along the same lines of ferent purposes are to be made,

accuracy with which .the same may be used. Where balls of different shapes and for difthe form will of course conform to the desired exterior thereof, and the cover portions will also be varied in shape to correspond to facilitate the manufacture as desired.

This application is a division of my pending application, Serial No. 101,217, filed April 10, 1926, in which the claims on the apparatus are presented;

What I claim is:

1. The method of making inflatable ball covers, comprising shaping and sewing cover parts together over a form and in the shape thereof; partially ripping said coverparts to permit removal from said form; removing the cover parts from the form; and then resewing said cover parts together substantially where ripped.

2. The method of making inflatable ball covers, comprising shaping and sewing cover parts together over a formand in the shape thereof; partially ripping said cover parts to permit removal from said form removing the cover parts from the form; and then resewing said cover parts together through therstitch holes left by the ripping.

'form, t

3. The methodofmalzin inflatableballcovers,comprisingshapingan sewingcoverparts together over a form and in the shape thereof with the cover parts arranged inside out; flattening the seams of the cover parts against said form; partiall rippin said cover parts to permit removal rom sai form; removing the cover parts from the form; then resewing the ripped seams using the same stitch holes; and then reversing said completed cover, an opening being left at one side of said cover through which the same is reversed and through which an inflating member may be inserted therein.

4. In the art of 'constructingball covers, forming cover parts into a cover over and conformin to the shape of the. periphery of a he cover parts bein disposed thereon inside out; securing the edges ofsaid cover parts about the form for snugly enclosin the form; detaching a suflicient extent 0 the edges to enable removal of the cover from the form; removing the cover attaching the detached edges and reversing the cover.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN T. RIDDELL.

therefrom; again 

